Mike Tyson Exclusive: Boxing legend talks Floyd Mayweather exhibition, Conor Benn, fighting career
Posted on: May 4, 2026, 05:19h.
Last updated on: May 4, 2026, 05:19h.
- Tyson says potential Mayweather exhibition still “pretty interesting” despite delays
- Reveals family hesitation after Jake Paul fight could impact future bouts
- Backs Conor Benn as “contending material,” calls for fighters to compete more often
Mike Tyson is still going strong at the age of 59. The man once known as the “baddest man on the planet” and arguably the greatest knockout king in heavyweight boxing history is still fighting as he inches closer to his 60th birthday. Tyson is a little more than a year removed from his last professional fight against Jake Paul, a boxing sensation who is three decades younger than “Iron Mike.”
Although Tyson lost to Paul, he went the full eight rounds against his younger opponent, showing that he still has what it takes to go toe to toe in the boxing ring.
Tyson, a Las Vegas resident since the 1990s, has shown no signs of retirement with a potential fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the works.
While the original April 25 target didn’t happen, reportedly because of IRS issues for Mayweather, Tyson did not shut down the idea of the two boxing superstars eventually facing off.
“There’s not much I can talk on, but it’s pretty interesting,” Tyson told Casino.org in an exclusive interview. “I’m just happy that I’m in the condition I’m in to be able to do this to the degree that I can.”
Tyson’s fight against Paul was his first professional fight since 2005 against Kevin McBride. Since initially retiring from boxing, Tyson had an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. He said that in order for him to get ready for a fight these days, he has to get ready three or four months in advance and has to train every day.
When asked if he has any other possible opponents in mind or if he has any thoughts on when he’ll stop fighting, Tyson doesn’t put a date on his boxing career.
“I don’t know when,” Tyson said. “I only think of it when somebody brings me a check. I can think of a lot of people (I want to fight).”
Tyson: Family must be on board with future fights
Tyson was known as the most dominant boxer of the late 80s and throughout the 90s, winning his first 19 pro fights by knockout, with 12 of those being in the first round. He became a mainstream name and one of the most notable figures in the sports world.
Obviously, Tyson had his share of downfalls and low points including the infamous Evander Holyfield ear-biting incident. He also filed for bankruptcy in the early 2000s.
However, Tyson has since bounced back to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur, co-founding Carma HoldCo – which features his cannabis products. That company is called Tyson 2.0.
When it comes to potential future fights, Tyson said he weighs how his family feels before taking one on. That differs from his mindset when he was in his 20s and 30s.
“This kind of stuff, I got to talk to my family about, to keep it real,” Tyson said. “Because I’ve got to see what they’re willing to endure. They didn’t like the last fight. They didn’t like the suffering and all that stuff. They think it’s a young man’s sport. So I have to really sit down and talk to them and really decide what decision we’re going to make.”
Tyson makes it pretty clear that the biggest focal point at this stage of his life is his family.
“It’s happiness,” Tyson said. “Happiness is my family. Everybody’s happiness is continuing to build things out of life, and to help people. That’s what it is. That’s what I discovered. It’s all about helping people. How long are we going to live? How can I enjoy all this stuff? We’re not going to be here long.
“It’s all about giving back,” Tyson continued. “I used to think that was a lot of crap back in the days, but as I got older, I realized that’s what it’s about. I feel so foolish. I thought those people were stupid back then.”
It’s a 180-degree turn for Tyson, who openly admits he struggled to be a doting father during his heyday.
“When I was young in the 80s and 90s, I never really knew how to raise a family,” Tyson said. “I threw money at it. Me and my wife started with s***. We had to suffer together. I never in my whole life had to be with my children, my family. Every f****** day I went insane. I’m capable of doing that now, but at first I lost my mind. I thought I went insane being with my kids and wife. I was used to being out, balling, talking a bunch of crap. I almost lost my mind, to keep it real.”
Tyson: Conor Benn is ‘contending material’
While family is more important than boxing for Tyson at this stage of his life, he said he’s still a big fan of the sport and still watches.
“Absolutely,” Tyson said. “Mike Tyson is not bigger than boxing. Nobody’s bigger than boxing. Boxing is what I’m gonna watch until the day I die.”
When asked which boxers stand out to him and reminds him of himself when he was younger, Tyson names a number of fighters.
“You got so many good fighters,” Tyson said. “Name any division. David Benavidez. You got Tank (Gervonta Davis). You got Shakur Stevenson. You got Keyshawn Davis, he’s a great fighter. There’s so many great fighters on the up.
“Even this young guy trying to show something, Conor Benn. People say he’s a bum, but he’s contending material believe it or not. I know he talks a lot of smack, gets some people nervous, but he’s contending material. He’s not afraid to show his face.”
Tyson said he doesn’t go out of his way to give the young boxers advice, saying that they know what they’re doing out there.
“I see them and I show them respect,” Tyson said. “I’m not some guy here, ‘Listen to me. I know what’s right.’ I look at them as individuals. They’re my equals. I’m not superior to anyone. I look at them as my friend. Hug and love. I don’t try to teach them boxing. These guys have been boxing long. They have more experience than me. They’ve been boxing since they were five years old, three years old. What can I tell them?”
Tyson: Top boxers need to schedule more fights
Tyson said the key for boxing’s popularity to grow to where it was when he was on top during his prime is by having the boxers fight more.
“Listen, you have to continue fighting,” Tyson said. “I fought 15 times in one year. These guys might fight two times in one year. It’s all about activity. The more the people get to see you, the more you get a fanbase. If they don’t see you, they don’t see you much. With a fanbase, they’ve got to constantly see your face. The more they see you, they want to see you more often and often.”
Tyson said the top fighters should have at least three fights a year.
“Three fights a year, and you’re making money,” Tyson said. “It’s not like you’re doing it for free and it’s boring. You’re making money. That’s what boxing is about. Fight the most exciting guy and make the most money. It’s about making money, taking care of your family, and try to get out there and not be f****** punch drunk.”
When asked what’s the best advice he can give to young athletes and potential entrepreneurs, he said it’s to create value and believe in themselves.
“Believe in yourself, have a lot of confidence and always be willing to work,” Tyson said. “Be ready to do anything. Always make yourself valuable, you know? I’m wealthy because I’m valuable, not because I’m wealthy. I’m very proud. I have pride in being valuable. That’s the number one cause of success is being valuable. So many people are wealthy, but they’re not valuable.”
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